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Forrest General employee recognized with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (February 29, 2016) Gladys Wolff, director of the critical care unit at Forrest General Hospital, was presented with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award, Monday, February 15.

“I was surprised by the nomination but honored to be nominated. As a twenty year veteran myself, I know how important it is to support our service men and women. These men and women make sacrifices for us every day, and they need our support,” said Wolff.

The Patriot Award recognizes people nominated by a Guardsman or Reservist employee for support provided directly to the nominating service member and his or her family. This award reflects support made through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. Wolff was nominated by Jennifer Harless, RN, BSN, TNCC, Forrest General’s CCU/ICU patient care manager. Harless has served in the Air National Guard for 23 years.

Harless said, “Gladys is a supportive supervisor who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in standing behind me as a soldier while I’m deployed on foreign soil or away for extended military service domestically. She has actively sought input from me, as a veteran and current service member, on ways to encourage development of our team and shows that she places high value on my service.”

So far this year, the ESGR has presented 93 Patriot Awards to supportive employers. The ESGR’s mission is to create and maintain a culture of support of employers across the United States.

“Almost half of the United States military forces reside in the National Guard and Reserve. The men and women who serve in the Reserve Component are unique in that they also have civilian employers. Support of America’s employers and the employees they share with the Nation ensures the viability of the all-volunteer force, and thus our national security,” said September Wallace, ESGR volunteer.

CAPTION: Pictured, left to right: Jennifer Harless, RN, BSN,TNCC; Gladys Wolff, director of critical care, and September Wallace, presenting the award on behalf of ESGR.

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